1 Timothy 2:1-7

1 I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people—2 for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. 3 This is good, and pleases God our Saviour, 4 who wants all people to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth. 5 For there is one God and one mediator between God and mankind, the man Christ Jesus, 6 who gave himself as a ransom for all people. This has now been witnessed to at the proper time. 7 And for this purpose I was appointed a herald and an apostle—I am telling the truth, I am not lying—and a true and faithful teacher of the Gentiles.

 

God our Saviour . . . wants all people to be saved. 1 Timothy 2:4

There were boys at school, and in my neighbourhood, who were really good at sport. They were always picked first for every match—no matter what we were playing. Then there were the boys like me. I had more enthusiasm than skill! And so I was often last to be picked. Usually stuck in goal or out of the way somewhere. Still important, yet not favoured or part of the ‘chosen’.

Thankfully, God doesn’t show this kind of favouritism. In a passage on the importance of praying for all (1 TIMOTHY 2:1), the Apostle Paul reminds his protégé Timothy that “God our Saviour . . . wants all people to be saved and come to a knowledge of the truth” (VV. 3-4). While not everyone may accept God’s free offer of salvation, it remains our Father’s desire that everyone comes to know Him. Paul reinforces this when he goes on to say that Jesus died on the cross as a “ransom for all people” (V. 6).

We can take great comfort in knowing that God’s grace abounds to all of us. His choice of His people is not based on looks, status or giftedness. With Him “there is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, neither male nor female” (GALATIANS 3:28). It’s you He loves, has chosen and calls by name (JOHN 10:3). You truly matter to Him, whatever your background—or your level of sporting skills!

What stops you believing that God loves and wants you in His kingdom? How does it encourage you to know that God “wants all people to be saved”?

Lord God, thank You that You want all people to be saved. Thank You especially for saving me!